“The vote” is just days away; and when you pick up your paper next week, the outcome will be known. Will Donley County go “wet,” or will it continue being “dry.”
After months of people talking about it, numerous ads on the subject, and lots of statistics, people are largely in agreement about one thing: Let’s just get on with it.
If supporters of the measure succeed, the sale of all alcoholic beverages including mixed drinks will become legal in all of Donley County. If opponents get their way, things will stay just as they are and just as they have been for more than 40 years with alcohol sales being legal in the City of Howardwick but nowhere else.
Articles that your editor has looked at specific to counties going from “dry” to “wet” reported business expansion and increased tax revenues with little to no increase in alcohol-related crime. I’ve read about sales tax revenues going up anywhere from 16 percent to 75 percent.
To put this in perspective, if Clarendon could increase its sales tax revenue just ten percent over 2012’s total, it would be a net gain of $33,594.74. For that to happen, local merchants and restaurants would have to see higher sales of more than $1.7 million. But maybe our sales tax revenue only goes up three percent, and the city nets just over $10,000. Even that would take an extra half a million dollars in sales. Wouldn’t that be nice?
And as for crime, one study of Angelina County in East Texas could find no correlation in DWI statistics as the county went from “dry” to “wet” because it was “functionally wet” already since residents only had to make a 10 to 15 minute “trip to the river” to get alcohol.
That’s our situation. Alcohol is in Donley County, and it will still be in our midst regardless of the vote. The only difference is in where it’s available and who gets the economic benefit.
At the end of the day, it is about rights and responsibilities, actions and consequences, and jobs and revenue. And for some people it’s a moral question.
No matter which side you are on in this issue, you need to vote. Don’t get mad at the results of the election if you didn’t go to the ballot box to make your voice heard. This is your opportunity, so make the most of it.
Meanwhile…
Donley County voters have several other choices on the ballot besides the alcohol question. Nine amendments have been proposed to the Texas Constitution, and many people have no idea what they’re being asked to vote on. So here is the Enterprise voter’s primer on the subject. Feel free to disagree.
Amendment No. 1:
The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a member of the armed services of the United States who is killed in action.
Our recommendation: Vote no. Too many exemptions are already in place for property taxes.
Amendment No. 2:
The constitutional amendment eliminating an obsolete requirement for a State Medical Education Board and a State Medical Education Fund, neither of which is operational.
Our recommendation: Vote Yes, unless you like obsolete requirements.
Amendment No. 3:
The constitutional amendment to authorize a political subdivision of this state to extend the number of days that aircraft parts that are exempt from ad valorem taxation due to their location in this state for a temporary period may be located in this state for purposes of qualifying for the tax exemption.
Our recommendation: Vote Yes. It would seem to be a rare circumstance and control is left to local officials.
Amendment No. 4:
The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of part of the market value of the residence homestead of a partially disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a partially disabled veteran if the residence homestead was donated to the disabled veteran by a charitable organization.
Our recommendation: Vote No. Too many exemptions are already in place for property taxes.
Amendment No. 5:
The constitutional amendment to authorize the making of a reverse mortgage loan for the purchase of homestead property and to amend lender disclosures and other requirements in connection with a reverse mortgage loan.
Our recommendation: Vote No. Too much opportunity for scammers.
Amendment No. 6:
The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas and the State Water Implementation Revenue Fund for Texas to assist in the financing of priority projects in the state water plan to ensure the availability of adequate water resources.
Our recommendation: Vote Yes. Texas needs water, and this measure has enjoyed bi-partisan support.
Amendment No. 7:
The constitutional amendment authorizing a home rule municipality to provide in its charter the procedure to fill a vacancy on its governing body for which the unexpired term is 12 months or less.
Our recommendation: Vote Yes. Clarendon can attest that cities need to be able to fill vacancies quickly.
Amendment No. 8:
The constitutional amendment which relates to the creation of a hospital district in Hidalgo County.
Our recommendation: Vote Yes. If Hidalgo County wants a hospital district, let them have one.
Amendment No. 9:
The constitutional amendment relating to expanding the types of sanctions that may be assessed against a judge or justice following a formal proceeding instituted by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Our recommendation: Vote Yes. Let’s have more options to hold judges accountable.
Not every issue is as exciting or controversial as alcohol, but that all deserve the thoughtful consideration of the voters. Read up on the issues at the Texas League of Women Voters’ website. And also be sure your make your choices known for Clarendon’s city board. Get out and vote!
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